{"id":33609,"date":"2022-10-02T17:04:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-02T08:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onlinecasino-record.com?p=33609"},"modified":"2026-06-05T10:49:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T01:49:19","slug":"poker-range","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onlinecasino-record.com\/en\/poker-range","title":{"rendered":"[Texas Hold’em] Poker Hand Range Explained! The Concept of Open Raises!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“What does ‘range’ in poker mean?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I want to understand the basic concept of range!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have questions like these?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poker hand range is something that is absolutely necessary to go from beginner to intermediate level and above.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you memorize hand range without understanding the concept, there is no room for application and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So in this article, we’ll cover everything about poker range from the basic concept comprehensively<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, for hand range by each position, we explain it in detail in a separate article<\/span><\/strong>, so please see that one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s get right into it!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\u3042\u308f\u305b\u3066\u8aad\u307f\u305f\u3044<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u30c6\u30ad\u30b5\u30b9\u30db\u30fc\u30eb\u30c7\u30e0\u306e\u30cf\u30f3\u30c9\u30ec\u30f3\u30b8\u8868\uff5c\u30bf\u30a4\u30c8\u30fb\u30eb\u30fc\u30b9\u5225\u306b\u52dd\u7387\u3068\u899a\u3048\u65b9\u3092\u89e3\u8aac<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u30c6\u30ad\u30b5\u30b9\u30db\u30fc\u30eb\u30c7\u30e0\u306e\u30cf\u30f3\u30c9\u30ec\u30f3\u30b8\u8868\u3092\u521d\u5fc3\u8005\u306b\u3082\u308f\u304b\u308a\u3084\u3059\u304f\u7d39\u4ecb\u3002\u30dd\u30b8\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3\u5225\u306e\u53c2\u52a0\u30cf\u30f3\u30c9\u52dd\u7387\u3001\u30bf\u30a4\u30c8\u30fb\u30eb\u30fc\u30b9\u6226\u7565\u306e\u9055\u3044\u3001\u899a\u3048\u65b9\u306e\u30b3\u30c4\u307e\u3067\u89e3\u8aac\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u30d7\u30ed\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30e4\u30fc\u300c\u4e16\u754c\u306e\u30e8\u30b3\u30b5\u30ef\u300d\u3055\u3093\u304c\u516c\u958b\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u30ec\u30f3\u30b8\u8868\u3082\u7d39\u4ecb\u3057\u3001\u3053\u308c\u4e00\u672c\u3067\u57fa\u672c\u304c\u8eab\u306b\u3064\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n
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The way to think about hand range is a bit difficult, so it’s okay to get used to it first!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/div>
The most important thing is to enjoy it before getting good!\uff01<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\u3042\u308f\u305b\u3066\u8aad\u307f\u305f\u3044<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u30c6\u30ad\u30b5\u30b9\u30db\u30fc\u30eb\u30c7\u30e0\u306e\u6226\u7565\uff5c\u521d\u5fc3\u8005\u5411\u3051\u30c8\u30fc\u30ca\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u30fb\u30ad\u30e3\u30c3\u30b7\u30e5\u653b\u7565<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u30c6\u30ad\u30b5\u30b9\u30db\u30fc\u30eb\u30c7\u30e0\u306e\u6226\u7565\u3092\u521d\u5fc3\u8005\u5411\u3051\u306b\u89e3\u8aac\u3002\u30c8\u30fc\u30ca\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u3068\u30ad\u30e3\u30c3\u30b7\u30e5\u30b2\u30fc\u30e0\u306e\u9055\u3044\u3084\u57fa\u672c\u6226\u7565\u3001\u78ba\u7387\u30fb\u671f\u5f85\u5024\u306e\u8003\u3048\u65b9\u307e\u3067\u308f\u304b\u308a\u3084\u3059\u304f\u7d39\u4ecb\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u52dd\u3066\u306a\u3044\u4eba\u304c\u5f37\u304f\u306a\u308b\u305f\u3081\u306e\u5b9f\u6226\u30dd\u30a4\u30f3\u30c8\u3084\u4ed8\u5e2f\u4f8b\u3082\u307e\u3068\u3081\u3001\u52dd\u7387\u3092\u5b89\u5b9a\u3055\u305b\u308b\u30b3\u30c4\u306a\u3069\u3082\u304a\u4f1d\u3048\u3057\u307e\u3059\uff01<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

What Does “Range” in Poker Mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\u30dd\u30fc\u30ab\u30fc\u306e\u30ec\u30f3\u30b8\u3063\u3066<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For beginners who just started poker, haven’t you heard intermediate players and above saying “range, range” over and over?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, “range” refers to hand range<\/span>,<\/strong> indicating the strength (rank) of hands that should be open-raised in each position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing poker involves a lot of katakana (foreign-derived terms), which can get tricky when mixed with Japanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s precisely why it’s important to pick up the specialized vocabulary and know what the other person is talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n

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As you learn more specialized terms, not only will poker be more fun when you play, but also when you read poker books or watch videos!<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Types of Hand Range<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\u30cf\u30f3\u30c9\u30ec\u30f3\u30b8\u306e\u7a2e\u985e\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hand range can be classified into the following 3 types<\/span><\/strong> depending on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we explain the overview, key points, and thinking behind each type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, open range is the foundation, and call range and raise range are built depending on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Hand Range Classification<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Open Range<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Call Range<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Raise Range<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Open Range<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Open range refers to the hand range for when you are the first to raise pre-flop<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First, as a basic principle of poker, the earlier your position to act, the narrower your hand range, and the lower the frequency of opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Open range is the foundation of hand range and is the first point beginners aiming for intermediate level should learn.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/div>
    \n

    Alright, let me start by learning open range first…!<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

    \"\"<\/div>
    \n

    Great! It’s packed with the fundamental elements of hand range, so that makes sense!<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

    Call Range<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Call range is the hand range where you can judge that you should call when another player has raised<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    BB (who is paying blinds) and BTN (who can always act later) have wider ranges, while other positions have narrower ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is often considered call range includes speculative hands and medium-strength pocket pairs.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/div>
    \n

    These tend to lead to checking the flop for now, so they are often judged to be calls!<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

    Also, narrowing your call range against strong opponents and conversely widening it against easier opponents tends to work well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Raise Range<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Raise range refers to the hand range for when you re-raise against a player who has already acted<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Basically, it is the way of thinking when you hold a stronger hand than your opponent, but it’s worth knowing that raise ranges can also be constructed for bluffing purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What Are the Benefits of Knowing Poker Hand Range?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\u30dd\u30fc\u30ab\u30fc\u306e\u30cf\u30f3\u30c9\u30ec\u30f3\u30b8\u3092<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    So far we’ve briefly explained hand range, but what are the actual benefits of knowing poker range?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here we explain the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
      \n
    1. Benefit of being able to predict the opponent’s hand<\/li>\n
    2. Benefit of polarizing the opponent by freely switching hand ranges<\/li>\n
    3. Benefit of increasing the possibility of exploiting<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Let’s dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Predict the Opponent’s Hand<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      By knowing hand range, you can infer the rank of the opponent’s hand<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This is because intermediate players and above have set open raise amounts for each position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In particular, when playing against players who just became intermediate, they will make textbook open raises, making them very easy to predict.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      However, once your opponent is intermediate or above with awareness of position, they may open-raise with surprising hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Incidentally, the author has recently been consciously exploiting based on the table situation, moving hand ranges accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Polarize by Freely Switching<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      In the previous section, the author mentioned moving hand ranges to aim for exploitation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      *Exploit means the same as catching the opponent off guard with their strategy and trapping them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This is because if the opponent is playing while being aware of your own hand range, you can easily exploit them by doing the opposite<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      When you feel you’ve caught someone off guard, show your hand to disclose information, and confuse (polarize) the opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Increase Exploit Possibilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      If you are being treated as a beginner by those around you, the possibility of exploiting increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This is because by playing faithful to hand range, the more the game progresses, the more you can exploit the opponent’s awareness by doing the opposite<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For example, the following situation might be easier to understand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      *This gets a bit specialized, so if you don’t understand, it might be good to first read ‘I Want to Know Position-Based Hand Range in Poker!<\/span><\/strong>‘<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <UTG Situation><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u524d\u63d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
        \n
      1. The opponent considers you tight-aggressive (opening from UTG from the top 10% of hands)<\/li>\n
      2. Your position is UTG 53s. The opponent is UTG+1 with an unknown hand.<\/li>\n
      3. Your open raise is 2.5BB. The opponent 3-bets at 3x.<\/li>\n
      4. You call against the opponent’s 3-bet.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

        <Actual Situation><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        At this point, for intermediate players and above who know hand range and open-raise from UTG, we know that the hand range contains many very strong cards<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        However, since a 3-bet has come back from UTG+1, it’s safe to think the hand range gap between you and the opponent has almost closed<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The opponent likely has KQs or better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <Flop><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        5 \u00b7 3 \u00b7 7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        At this point, you have Two Pair<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When a 3-bet is returned against a UTG open, the opponent’s hand range likely contains many premium hands like AA or KK, with a high probability of a continuation bet (CB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <Turn><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        5 \u00b7 3 \u00b7 7 \u00b7 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        From the opponent’s perspective, it’s completely a rag card that fell<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        If they have AA, thinking in terms of hand range they only lose to 77, and 7-pocket is likely to fold against the opponent’s 3-bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        From the opponent’s side, they will likely make a pot-size bet to extract value from TT and above.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In my case, this is the scene where I pretend to be agonizing and reluctantly act out a call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <River><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        5 \u00b7 3 \u00b7 7 \u00b7 3 \u00b7 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The last card is also a rag<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        On a basically dry board with a 3-bet pot, the opponent will likely choose all-in with considerable confidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        However, you have a Full House and can ‘comfortably’ call back<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        *I’ve presented an extreme case for clarity, but note that games don’t work out this smoothly in real life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Easy Ways to Memorize Poker Hand Range<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \"\u30dd\u30fc\u30ab\u30fc\u306e\u30cf\u30f3\u30c9\u30ec\u30f3\u30b8\u306e<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Going deeper into hand range, looking at a hand range chart makes it hard to memorize, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        So first, here we introduce easy ways to memorize hand range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
          \n
        1. Establish your own play style<\/li>\n
        2. Copy the hand range chart and view it visually in order from UTG<\/li>\n
        3. Actually output and memorize<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

          These are the 3 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Incidentally, for the memorization aspect, the author is a former cram school teacher, so feel free to try the memorization method with confidence!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"\"<\/div>
          I feel like there are surprisingly many cram school teachers and educators among poker players!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          I actually constructed my own hand range using this method<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \u2460 Establish Your Own Play Style<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          The first thing to do is establish your own play style<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          There are various play styles, but the two recommended for beginners are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Tight-aggressive<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Loose-aggressive<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            The distinction between tight and loose differs based on what percentage from the top the UTG hand range open-raises from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The specific figures are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n